STOCKS FALL: Here's What You Need To Know

Sam Ro

 Nov. 27, 2012

chantel_riley via instagram

Markets closed at their lows of the day as fiscal cliff talks seem to go nowhere.

First the scoreboard:

Dow: 12,878, -89.2, -0.6 percent

S&P 500: 1,398, -7.3, -0.5 percent

NASDAQ: 2,967, -8.9, -0.3 percent

And now the top stories:

• After much delay, last night, Euro area leaders agreed on a deal that would get Greece its next round of bailout funds. Markets initially rallied on the news, but that rally lost steam.

• For the most part, U.S. economic data was encouraging.  Durable goods orders growth was flat in October, which was better than the 0.7 percent decline expected by economists.  More importantly, orders excluding transportation jumped 1.5 percent, which was far ahead of expectations.  The surprise improvement in core capital goods orders was particularly encouraging as it is widely recognized as a reliable recession indicator.

• Housing data continues to be positive.  The Case-Shiller home price index climbed 3.0 percent year-over-year, which was just marginally better than the expectation for a 2.95 percent increase.

• The Conference Board's Consumer Confidence report was particularly encouraging.  The index jumped to 73.7 from 72.2 in October.  This was higher than the 73.0 economists were looking for.  This was also the highest level since February 2008.

• The stock market action was pretty tame for most of the day.  But the wind got knocked out just before 2:30 when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid came out of fiscal cliff talks and said he was "disappointed" as "little progress" was made today.

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10 Things You Need To Know This Morning

Mamta Badkar

 Nov. 27, 2012

flickr / daily sunny

Good morning. Here's what you need to know.

• Asian markets were mixed in overnight trading with the Shanghai Composite down 1.3 percent, and closing below 2,000 for the first time in nearly four years. Europe is rallying after the Greek deal, and U.S. futures are flat.

• Last night, European policymakers agreed to a deal that would allow Greece to get €44 billion in three tranches. Policymakers eased terms by cutting rates on bailout loans, extending the deadline for Greece to repay the loans, and putting a Greek bond buyback on the table.

• Chinese industrial profits jumped 20.5 percent year-over-year to 500.1 billion yuan ($80.4 billion) in October. Bank of America's Ting Lu wrote that earnings bounced back because of " lower base; falling raw material prices, inventory cycle and exports".

• Durable goods orders for October was flat versus expectations for an 0.8 percent month-over-month drop. 

• South Africa's economy grew 1.2 percent in the third quarter, compared to 3.4 percent growth the previous quarter. GDP grew at the slowest pace since a recession in 2009 and was hit by the nation's mine strikes. 

• The OECD cut its global growth forecast and now sees global GDP climbing 2.9 percent this year, and 3.4 percent in 2013. This is down from a previous projection of 3.4 percent and 4.2 percent growth. 

• Late yesterday Intrade, a prediction market, issued a statement telling its U.S. customers to start shutting down their accounts. This comes after The Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) sued it for violating a ban on off-exchange options trading.

• The Case-Shiller home price index for September climbed 3.0 percent year-over-year, which was a tad higher than expectations.  The FHFA house price index for September comes out at 10 a.m. ET. Consensus is for a rise of 0.5 percent MoM. 

• President Obama is pushing ahead to garner support for a fiscal cliff deal. He is meeting with business executives at the White House and visiting a small business in Pennsylvania to make his case this week, Reuters reports.

• ConAgra Foods is acquiring Ralcorp Holdings for $90 per share in cash. The deal is expected to total $6.8 billion including Ralcorp's debt.

27 Nov 2012 Kuala Lumpur Closing Stock Prices

Close Prior Change % Change AMMB 6.36 6.38 -0.02 -0.31 BAT 54.82 55.58 -0.76 -1.37 C&G 2.88 2.88 unch unch Genting 9.12 9.11 +0.01 +0.11 GenM 3.51 3.45 +0.06 +1.74 IGB 2.31 2.35 -0.04 -1.70 L&G 0.42 0.42 -0.01 -1.19 MayBank 9.02 9.04 -0.02 -0.22 MAS 1.01 1.01 unch unch PetGas 17.10 18.14 -1.04 -5.73 PbBank 15.38 15.44 -0.06 -0.39 RHBCap 7.50 7.45 +0.05 +0.67 Sime 9.50 9.53 -0.03 -0.31 Telekom 5.37 5.34 +0.03 +0.56 Tenaga 6.90 6.94 -0.04 -0.58 TopGlove 5.41 5.60 -0.19 -3.39 UMW 10.32 10.10 +0.22 +2.18 YTL 1.76 1.79 -0.03 -1.68

27 Nov 2012 Kuala Lumpur Most Actives

Volume Close Change % Change SAAG 120,149,000 0.005 -0.005 -50.00 HHHCORP 66,453,800 0.220 -0.030 -12.00 ASuprem 33,796,800 0.280 +0.035 +14.29 BJCorp 25,794,800 0.575 -0.020 -3.36 Kbunai 20,520,800 0.130 -0.005 -3.70 PTB 20,187,000 0.095 -0.010 -9.52 Axiata 20,052,300 5.620 -0.130 -2.26 Mtronic 19,715,100 0.135 unch unch CIMB 19,426,100 7.500 -0.080 -1.06 Scomi 18,699,100 0.345 -0.015 -4.17 Patimas 17,131,800 0.025 unch unch DiGi 16,379,000 4.550 -0.030 -0.66 AGlobal 16,129,800 0.075 -0.010 -11.76 SKPetro 15,821,700 2.680 -0.070 -2.55 Biosis 15,109,900 0.265 -0.005 -1.85 Fastrack 12,747,700 0.095 +0.005 +5.56 Sime 12,229,300 9.500 -0.030 -0.31 KNM 11,317,400 0.455 -0.015 -3.19 IJM 11,290,800 4.880 -0.030 -0.61 DSCSol 11,081,800 0.125 +0.005 +4.17 Telekom 10,924,100 5.370 +0.030 +0.56 Tiger 10,215,400 0.330 -0.010 -2.94 MayBank 9,319,000 9.020 -0.020 -0.22 NICORP 8,122,600 0.190 -0.005 -2.56 JCY 7,811,000 0.660 -0.010 -1.49 Luster 7,455,000 0.115 unch unch Maxis 7,424,100 6.370 -0.070 -1.09 IRIS 6,805,600 0.170 unch unch YTL 6,608,000 1.760 -0.030 -1.68 Tenaga 6,504,400 6.900 -0.040 -0.58 Perisai 6,469,600 1.070 -0.050 -4.46 AirAsia 6,461,300 2.850 unch unch Tanco 6,250,600 0.190 -0.010 -5.00 DRB-HICOM 6,199,300 2.400 +0.010 +0.42 IHH 6,082,600 3.190 -0.020 -0.62 AMedia 5,971,600 0.380 -0.010 -2.56 Nextnat 5,510,000 0.105 -0.005 -4.55 Hubline 5,401,700 0.065 +0.005 +8.33 GenM 5,318,400 3.510 +0.060 +1.74 Dialog 4,567,000 2.430 unch unch UEMLand 4,353,800 2.150 unch unch Astro 4,291,100 2.670 -0.010 -0.37 Hovid 4,282,300 0.255 -0.005 -1.92 Focus 3,779,700 0.085 -0.005 -5.56 UMW 3,705,900 10.320 +0.220 +2.18 THHeavy 3,504,900 0.490 -0.010 -2.00 Alam 3,391,100 0.645 -0.035 -5.15 Cybert 3,382,600 0.200 -0.005 -2.44 P.A. 3,365,700 0.110 -0.010 -8.33 IOI 3,311,400 4.850 unch unch

STOCKS SLIDE, APPLE JUMPS, FACEBOOK SURGES: Here's What You Need To Know

Sam Ro

Nov. 26, 2012

Flickr/sam_churchill

Some stocks were up, and some stocks were down.

First the scoreboard:

Dow: 12,967, -42.3, -0.3 percent

S&P 500: 1,406, -2.8, -0.2 percent

NASDAQ: 2,976, +9.9, +0.3 percent

And now the top stories:

• There wasn't a lot of big market-moving news today.  However, there were a few developments worth noting.

• It's hard to make any conclusions about holiday spending based just on Black Friday sales.  But for what it's worth, early data suggests Black Friday was huge.  According to the National Retail Federation, 247 million shoppers spent on average $423 dollars this past weekend, up from 226 million people spending $398 a year ago.  

• According to the Dallas Federal Reserve, manufacturing activity in that region unexpectedly turned negative.  The general activity index fell to -2.8 from 1.8 in October.  Economists were looking for a reading of 2.0.

• Most stocks fell today.  But two tech behemoths rallied.  Apple jumped around 2 percent today.  Citi's Glen Yeung published a report slapping a 'Buy' rating on the stock with a $675 per share price target.  Basically, he sees the recent sell-off as a huge opportunity.

• Facebook was the other stock that surged.  BTIG analyst Rich Greenfield upgraded the stock to 'Neutral' from 'Sell' while saying that Q4 revenue will explode.  Bernstein analyst Carlos Kirjner also upgraded the stock, raising it to 'Outperform.'  Kirjner also believes the consensus is underestimating the company's revenue prospects.

• To everyone's surprise, The Bank of England poached The Bank of Canada's Mark Carney to succeed Mervyn King and become its new chairman.  The immediate reaction occurred in the currency markets where the British Pound surged against the Canadian Dollar.  Carney is widely considered to be one of the most respected central bankers in the world.

10 Things You Need To Know Before The Opening Bell

Mamta Badkar

 Nov. 26, 2012

Shutterstock

Good morning. Here's what you need to know.

• Asian markets were mixed in over night trading with the Shanghai Composite down 0.5 percent on concerns about growth in 2013. Europe is selling off and U.S. futures are modestly lower.

• Spain saw important elections this weekend, with Catalonia voting for pro-independent parties. But Spanish media pointed out that the elections were a major setback for Catalonia's current leader Artur Mas who is pushing to see the region split away from Spain.

• European policymakers are meeting again today, to reach an agreement on a financial aid program for Greece. Societe Generale's Michala Marcussen writes,  "While a German press report this weekend suggested that some form of “conditional” forgiveness could be on the cards as of 2015, the official position out of Berlin is that official sector debt forgiveness is not on the menu."

• Latest data shows that average urban salaries in China climbed 12 percent on the year in the first nine months, according to Bloomberg. Weaker profits have hurt wage gains and are likely to impact consumer demand. 

• A record 247 million people shopped online and in stores at this year's Black Friday weekend. according to the National Retail Federation. Online sales reached over $1 billion for the first time.

• The Dallas Fed manufacturing survey for November is out at 10:30 a.m. ET. Expectations are for the business activity index to rise to 4.7.

• Italian consumer confidence fell to 84.8 in November, from 86.2 the previous month. 

• The White House that has long argued to freeze taxes on the middle class, while raising taxes on the rich, has issued a new report titled 'The Middle Class Tax Cuts' Impact On Consumer Spending & Retailers'. But the report failed to consider the impact of the payroll tax. Meanwhile, Congress will resume fiscal cliff talks this week after the holiday weekend. 

• Egyptian president Mohamed Mursi is meeting judges today after a decree giving him sweeping new powers sparked massive protests across the country and hit Egypt's stock market.

• South Korean consumer confidence climbed to 99 in November, rising from a nine-month low.

26 Nov 2012 0 Kuala Lumpur Closing Stock Prices

Close Prior Change % Change AMMB 6.38 6.44 -0.06 -0.93 BAT 55.58 57.36 -1.78 -3.10 C&C 2.88 2.90 -0.02 -0.69 Genting 9.11 9.15 -0.04 -0.44 GenM 3.45 3.46 -0.01 -0.29 IGB 2.35 2.37 -0.02 -0.84 L&G 0.42 0.43 -0.01 -2.33 MayBank 9.04 9.00 +0.04 +0.44 MAS 1.01 1.03 -0.02 -1.94 PetGas 18.14 18.90 -0.76 -4.02 PbBank 15.44 15.36 +0.08 +0.52 RHBCap 7.45 7.42 +0.03 +0.40 Sime 9.53 9.55 -0.02 -0.21 Telekom 5.34 5.40 -0.06 -1.11 Tenaga 6.94 6.90 +0.04 +0.58 TopGlove 5.60 5.48 +0.12 +2.19 UMW 10.10 9.94 +0.16 +1.61 YTL 1.79 1.74 +0.05 +2.87

26 Nov 2012 Kuala Lumpur Most Actives

Volume Close Change % Change Mtronic 31,118,500 0.135 unch unch BJCorp 24,370,800 0.595 unch unch Kbunai 19,813,500 0.135 -0.020 -12.90 DiGi 14,307,500 4.580 -0.190 -3.98 Tiger 14,207,300 0.340 +0.035 +11.48 AGlobal 13,729,700 0.085 unch unch SaKPetro 13,630,800 2.750 -0.100 -3.51 iDmensn 13,184,900 0.115 -0.010 -8.00 Axiata 12,399,100 5.750 -0.120 -2.04 CIMB 10,965,300 7.580 -0.090 -1.17 KNM 8,544,600 0.470 -0.015 -3.09 Scomi 8,398,500 0.360 -0.020 -5.26 Nice 7,742,300 0.125 +0.010 +8.70 AirAsia 7,394,000 2.850 unch unch YTL 7,171,200 1.790 +0.050 +2.87 Menang 6,834,500 0.330 -0.010 -2.94 Sime 6,739,700 9.530 -0.020 -0.21 DRB-HICOM 6,259,500 2.390 -0.040 -1.65 MayBank 6,156,600 9.040 +0.040 +0.44 Telekom 5,756,500 5.340 -0.060 -1.11 Maxis 5,690,500 6.440 -0.010 -0.16 IHH 5,579,500 3.210 +0.010 +0.31 NICORP 5,536,800 0.195 -0.005 -2.50 GPRO 5,348,100 0.080 unch unch JCY 4,970,700 0.670 -0.030 -4.29 UEMLand 4,846,900 2.150 -0.010 -0.46 AsiaPac 4,778,800 0.105 -0.005 -4.55 KBB 4,526,300 0.415 -0.015 -3.49 AMMB 4,483,700 6.380 -0.060 -0.93 Astro 4,475,900 2.680 +0.030 +1.13 Tenaga 4,447,100 6.940 +0.040 +0.58 MRCB 4,353,200 1.640 -0.070 -4.09 PasukGB 4,345,800 0.300 unch unch Nextnat 4,189,100 0.110 -0.005 -4.35 Takaso 4,177,200 0.250 -0.020 -7.41 Benalec 4,046,400 1.290 -0.110 -7.86 P.A. 4,020,400 0.120 +0.005 +4.35 THHeavy 3,948,000 0.500 -0.015 -2.91 Cybert 3,918,000 0.205 unch unch Luster 3,917,900 0.115 -0.005 -4.17 GenM 3,895,300 3.450 -0.010 -0.29 Fitters 3,859,600 0.635 +0.005 +0.79 MAS 3,598,400 1.010 -0.020 -1.94 IngenCo 3,441,500 0.090 +0.005 +5.88 Permaju 3,311,600 0.380 -0.030 -7.32 TAGlobal 3,220,000 0.245 -0.005 -2.00 HWGB 3,144,300 0.300 -0.010 -3.23 E&O 3,136,800 1.570 -0.050 -3.09 AMedia 3,041,500 0.390 -0.005 -1.27 Trinity 2,983,500 0.045 unch unch

DOW SURGES 172 POINTS: Here's What You Need To Know

Sam Ro

 Nov. 23, 2012

Jingle All The Way trailer

Black Friday was a good day for stocks.

First the scoreboard:

Dow: 13,009, +172.7, +1.3 percent

S&P 500: 1,409, +18.1, +1.3 percent

NASDAQ: 2,966, +40.3, +1.3 percent

And now the top stories:

• Markets closed at 1:00 PM  after the Thanksgiving Day holiday.  And traders and investors caught up with the rest of the world by buying stocks.

• The HSBC Flash China manufacturing PMI number finally bounced back above 50 for the first time in months.  Specifically, it hit a 13-month high of 50.4.  Any number above 50 signals expansion in the industry.  China is the world's second largest economy, and the fact that it's accelerating again is bullish for everyone.

• The eurozone also released it's Flash PMI numbers, and the good news was that it was not a disaster.

• Germany's Ifo business climate index unexpectedly jumped to 101.4 from 100 in October.  Economists were looking for a decline.  It was only a few weeks ago that ECB president Mario Draghi said he was concerned that the crisis in the euro's periphery countries were seeping into Germany, Europe's largest economy.

• The U.S. was quiet.  There was no major economic data to report.  And many traders were off, continuing their Thanksgiving holidays.

• Gold surged today.  "Gold rallied on the backdrop of a weaker dollar and money moving into a broad range of risk assets," said futures trader John Netto.  "The move higher in gold was also aided when it broke through a key technical resistance level and triggered a wave of buying."

23 Nov 2012 Kuala Lumpur Most Actives

Volume Close Change % Change Mtronic 59,100,900 0.150 +0.015 +11.11 AGlobal 48,966,400 0.085 unch unch Tiger 27,526,900 0.350 +0.045 +14.75 Kbunai 24,524,000 0.140 -0.015 -9.68 Scomi 20,157,100 0.370 -0.010 -2.63 Ingeno 18,943,800 0.090 +0.005 +5.88 Axiata 18,056,800 5.830 -0.040 -0.68 DiGi 16,678,100 4.640 -0.130 -2.73 NICORP 15,127,300 0.200 unch unch BjCorp 14,994,300 0.600 +0.005 +0.84 Telekom 13,422,900 5.370 -0.030 -0.56 JCY 13,155,500 0.685 -0.015 -2.14 Luster 12,552,200 0.120 unch unch Takaso 12,121,900 0.265 -0.005 -1.85 AirAsia 11,431,700 2.830 -0.020 -0.70 SKPetro 10,101,500 2.850 unch unch Biosis 9,907,200 0.285 -0.025 -8.06 Sime 9,905,600 9.550 unch unch Maxis 9,890,300 6.450 unch unch E&O 9,577,300 1.600 -0.020 -1.23 YTL 9,343,900 1.790 +0.050 +2.87 Astro 9,261,300 2.660 +0.010 +0.38 MayBank 8,171,700 9.000 unch unch CIMB 7,994,800 7.690 +0.020 +0.26 Utopia 7,379,900 0.075 +0.005 +7.14 Itronic 7,182,400 0.385 -0.005 -1.28 Sanichi 6,958,500 0.050 -0.005 -9.09 Tenaga 6,172,900 6.890 -0.010 -0.14 P.A. 6,150,700 0.115 unch unch KNM 6,080,000 0.480 -0.005 -1.03 UEMLand 5,739,100 2.160 unch unch Olympia 5,541,200 0.175 -0.005 -2.78 Fastrack 5,340,300 0.090 +0.005 +5.88 AMMB 5,271,800 6.370 -0.070 -1.09 AMedia 4,745,300 0.400 +0.005 +1.27 IHH 4,597,100 3.190 -0.010 -0.31 Trinity 4,499,000 0.045 unch unch DRB-HICOM 4,455,400 2.380 -0.050 -2.06 ETITech 4,331,800 0.085 -0.005 -5.56 Fitters 4,249,400 0.620 -0.010 -1.59 Dialog 4,198,200 2.410 -0.010 -0.41 ASuprem 3,806,000 0.245 unch unch THHeavy 3,670,600 0.510 -0.005 -0.97 MRCB 3,621,300 1.650 -0.060 -3.51 IOI 3,610,500 4.830 unch unch MAS 3,601,700 1.030 unch unch IRIS 3,480,200 0.170 unch unch GenM 3,473,900 3.500 +0.040 +1.16 PetChem 3,383,500 6.200 -0.110 -1.74 GOcean 3,210,700 0.365 +0.015 +4.29

22 Nov 2012 Kuala Lumpur Closing Stock Prices

Close Prior Change % Change AMMB 6.44 6.44 unch unch BAT 57.36 57.48 -0.12 -0.21 C&C 2.90 2.92 -0.02 -0.68 Genting 9.15 9.15 unch unch GenM 3.46 3.45 +0.01 +0.29 IGB 2.37 2.38 -0.01 -0.42 L&G 0.43 0.43 +0.01 +1.18 MayBank 9.00 9.01 -0.01 -0.11 MAS 1.03 1.03 unch unch PetGas 18.90 19.02 -0.12 -0.63 PbBank 15.36 15.38 -0.02 -0.13 RHBCap 7.42 7.60 -0.18 -2.37 Sime 9.55 9.54 +0.01 +0.10 Telekom 5.40 5.39 +0.01 +0.19 Tenaga 6.90 6.92 -0.02 -0.29 TopGlove 5.48 5.60 -0.12 -2.14 UMW 9.94 9.93 +0.01 +0.10 YTL 1.74 1.70 +0.04 +2.35

22 Nov 2012 Kuala Lumpur Most Actives

Volume Close Change % Change JCY 65,426,100 0.700 -0.145 -17.16 Mtronic 25,236,400 0.135 +0.010 +8.00 Tiger 23,958,300 0.305 -0.025 -7.58 Kbunai 21,501,300 0.155 unch unch Axiata 19,152,800 5.870 -0.110 -1.84 CIMB 16,777,600 7.670 -0.030 -0.39 Takaso 16,572,400 0.270 unch unch KNM 15,051,300 0.485 -0.015 -3.00 YTL 14,285,000 1.740 +0.040 +2.35 MayBank 14,180,400 9.000 -0.010 -0.11 AMMB 13,082,400 6.440 unch unch DiGi 12,745,000 4.770 -0.030 -0.63 Luster 12,714,300 0.120 unch unch AGlobal 11,875,100 0.085 +0.010 +13.33 AirAsia 9,528,500 2.850 unch unch Cybert 9,343,500 0.205 -0.005 -2.38 Telekom 8,551,500 5.400 +0.010 +0.19 Maxis 8,177,000 6.450 unch unch AMedia 7,974,800 0.395 -0.020 -4.82 SkPetro 6,787,300 2.850 -0.010 -0.35 Pasukgb 6,681,700 0.300 -0.020 -6.25 Scomi 5,319,700 0.380 -0.010 -2.56 UEMLand 5,282,600 2.160 -0.020 -0.92 Perisai 4,858,400 1.120 -0.040 -3.45 Sime 4,841,100 9.550 +0.010 +0.10 IRCB 4,653,300 0.155 -0.010 -6.06 PbBank 4,443,900 15.360 -0.020 -0.13 Hovid 4,284,900 0.265 +0.005 +1.92 Patimas 4,246,500 0.030 unch unch P.A. 4,132,500 0.115 +0.005 +4.55 IHH 4,118,500 3.200 +0.040 +1.27 Tenaga 4,113,500 6.900 -0.020 -0.29 Olympia 4,073,900 0.180 unch unch Dialog 4,027,700 2.420 +0.010 +0.41 Itronic 4,007,300 0.390 unch unch Texchem 3,989,800 0.645 -0.025 -3.73 GPacket 3,939,400 0.525 -0.015 -2.78 IOI 3,893,600 4.830 -0.040 -0.82 IngenCo 3,886,100 0.085 unch unch YTLPowr 3,785,600 1.530 -0.010 -0.65 Mulpha 3,783,100 0.395 -0.005 -1.25 PbBankF 3,711,900 15.380 -0.020 -0.13 NICORP 3,643,900 0.200 unch unch BjCorp 3,622,300 0.595 -0.005 -0.83 Astro 3,600,500 2.650 unch unch Alam 3,534,500 0.705 unch unch AsiaBio 3,500,100 0.075 unch unch GenM 3,487,700 3.460 +0.010 +0.29 KLCCP 3,456,500 5.830 +0.270 +4.86 E&O 3,397,400 1.620 unch unch

STOCKS RALLY: Here's What You Need To Know

Sam Ro

 Nov. 21, 2012

Daniel Goodman / Business Insider

A quiet day ahead of Thanksgiving.

First the scoreboard:

Dow: 12,836, +48.3, +0.3 percent
S&P 500: 1,391, +3.2, +0.2 percent
NASDAQ: 2,926, +9.8, +0.3 percent

And now the top stories:

• It was a quiet day of trading as America prepares for its Thanksgiving Day holiday.  However, the rest of the world was rather active overnight.

• Japan's latest trade report showed that exports fell 6.5 percent in October, which was much worse than the 4.9 percent decline expected.  Japan is the third largest economy in the world, and its economy is driven by exports.

• One of the reasons why Japan is struggling is because of an ongoing political row with China.  Japan's exports were weak largely due to a 12.3 percent drop in auto exports, which included a 54.1 percent plunge in auto exports to China.

• Farm equipment maker Deere disappointed investors by missing on the bottom line in its fiscal Q4 earnings announcement. Earlier this month, Warren Buffett revealed a big stake in Deere in a Berkshire Hathaway 13-F regulatory filing.  

• Earlier this month, Warren Buffett revealed a new position in Deere in Berkshire Hathaway's latest 13-F filing.
  
  Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/deere-q4-2012-earnings-announcement-2012-11#ixzz2CtOwCBRI
• Weekly initial jobless claims fell to 410k, which was right in line with expectations.  The number remains above that 400k level thanks to the lingering affects of Hurricane Sandy. But the good news is that those affects seem to be subsiding.

• In fact, Hurricane Sandy may be starting to have a positive impact on the economy.  The Markit US Flash manufacturing PMI report unexpectedly jumped to 52.4 in November from 51.3 a month ago.  This was also much better than the 51.0 expected by economists.  From the report: "some panellists also commented on new work resulting from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy."

10 Things You Need To Know Before The Opening Bell

Mamta Badkar

 Nov. 21, 2012

Mark Baker/AP Images

Good morning. Here's what you need to know.

• Asian markets were up in overnight trading with the Shanghai Composite rising 1.07 percent on speculation that the central bank would cut reserve requirement ratio to shore up investor confidence. Europe is mixed and U.S. futures are flat as the U.S. prepares for Thanksgiving.

• After 11-hours of talks, European finance ministers failed to agree on a debt-reduction deal for Athens. Germany was among the creditors that refused to hand over more money to support Greece. The ministers will meet again on November 26.

• Japanese exports fell 6.5 percent in October, worse than expectations of a 4.9 percent decline. Imports fell 1.6 percent. Exports to China fell 11.6 percent as the Sino-Japanese dispute over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands continues, and exports to Europe fell 23.5 percent.

• Despite calls for peace, the conflict between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of letting up. Two people were reportedly involved in the bombing of a bus in Tel Aviv, meanwhile, Israel bombed a football stadium in Gaza. The death toll from the 11-day conflict has now risen to 134 Palestinians and five Israelis.

• Initial claims will be out at 8:30 a.m. ET, followed by Markit PMI manufacturing for November at 8:58 a.m. ET. Consensus is for initial claims to fall to 415K, and for manufacturing PMI to fall to 51. 

• Farm equipment maker Deere & Co. reported fourth quarter earnings of $1.75 per share, on revenue of $9.79 billion. The company beat expectations on revenue. 

• Consumer sentiment data for November will be released at 9:55 a.m. ET. Analysts polled by Bloomberg expect consumer sentiment to decline to 84. 

• Hostess Brands, maker of Twinkies, and the baker's union failed to agree on a deal during mediation. 18,500 jobs are at stake, and 5,000 of those jobs belong to members of the union. The company is scheduled for a hearing at 11 am ET before the US bankruptcy court for the Southern District of New York.

• UK's budget deficit unexpectedly rose to £8.6 billion in October, from £5.9 billion a year ago. Spending surged 7.4 percent, while tax income climbed 1.8 percent.

• India hanged Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab on Wednesday. Kasab was the lone survivor of the deadly Mumbai Terror attack in 2008 and was executed days before the fourth anniversary of the attack.

21 Nov 2012 Kuala Lumpur Closing Stock Prices

Close Prior Change % Change AMMB 6.44 6.45 -0.01 -0.16 BAT 57.48 58.54 -1.06 -1.81 C&C 2.92 2.95 -0.03 -1.02 Genting 9.15 9.20 -0.05 -0.54 GenM 3.45 3.43 +0.02 +0.58 IGB 2.38 2.37 +0.01 +0.42 L&G 0.43 0.43 unch unch MayBank 9.01 9.04 -0.03 -0.33 MAS 1.03 1.04 -0.01 -0.96 PetGas 19.02 19.04 -0.02 -0.11 PbBank 15.38 15.40 -0.02 -0.13 RHBCap 7.60 7.59 +0.01 +0.13 Sime 9.54 9.53 +0.01 +0.10 Telekom 5.39 5.45 -0.06 -1.10 Tenaga 6.92 6.92 unch unch TopGlove 5.60 5.72 -0.12 -2.10 UMW 9.93 9.95 -0.02 -0.20 YTL 1.70 1.73 -0.03 -1.73

21 Nov 2012 Kuala Lumpur Most Actives

Volume Close Change % Change Kbunai 123,549,700 0.155 +0.015 +10.71 KNM 37,896,600 0.500 +0.020 +4.17 Tiger 18,874,300 0.330 unch unch Scomi 18,410,200 0.390 +0.010 +2.63 NICORP 15,838,200 0.200 +0.005 +2.56 DiGi 15,779,000 4.800 -0.010 -0.21 Telekom 15,113,400 5.390 -0.060 -1.10 Mtronic 14,695,500 0.125 -0.005 -3.85 JCY 14,524,600 0.845 +0.010 +1.20 CIMB 13,307,100 7.700 +0.030 +0.39 Maxis 12,613,000 6.450 +0.010 +0.16 AMedia 11,712,500 0.415 +0.035 +9.21 MayBank 11,036,800 9.010 -0.030 -0.33 Axiata 10,927,500 5.980 +0.030 +0.50 YTL 10,274,400 1.700 -0.030 -1.73 Tenaga 10,199,500 6.920 unch unch THHeavy 10,118,100 0.520 +0.020 +4.00 Alam 9,444,000 0.705 +0.035 +5.22 IHH 8,670,700 3.160 +0.010 +0.32 BornOil 8,571,700 0.500 unch unch Perisai 8,321,300 1.160 +0.020 +1.75 Sumatec 8,186,000 0.215 +0.005 +2.38 GOcean 7,900,400 0.345 -0.015 -4.17 Dialog 7,332,200 2.410 unch unch Focus 7,320,400 0.090 unch unch IOI 7,225,100 4.870 -0.040 -0.81 Takaso 6,828,700 0.270 unch unch E&O 6,809,500 1.620 -0.010 -0.61 PbBank 6,630,300 15.380 -0.020 -0.13 AirAsia 6,536,700 2.850 -0.010 -0.35 Sime 6,236,200 9.540 +0.010 +0.10 SKPetro 6,038,500 2.860 -0.010 -0.35 Astro 5,915,100 2.650 -0.050 -1.85 PasukGB 5,807,900 0.320 -0.005 -1.54 Trinity 5,735,500 0.045 unch unch GenM 5,093,500 3.450 +0.020 +0.58 AMMB 5,085,100 6.440 -0.010 -0.16 Luster 5,053,100 0.120 unch unch WTK 4,758,200 0.930 -0.045 -4.62 Tanco 4,755,100 0.185 unch unch MRCB 4,709,500 1.700 -0.060 -3.41 Itronic 4,660,100 0.390 -0.010 -2.50 DRB-HICOM 4,404,100 2.410 -0.060 -2.43 MuiProp 4,380,900 0.150 -0.010 -6.25 TAS 4,172,800 0.470 -0.030 -6.00 BJCorp 3,897,100 0.600 unch unch IngenCo 3,770,900 0.085 unch unch SAAG 3,506,700 0.015 unch unch Cybert 3,233,600 0.210 +0.015 +7.69 GPacket 3,232,600 0.540 +0.005 +0.93

STOCKS MAKE A COMEBACK: Here's What You Need To Know

Sam Ro

 Nov. 20, 2012

screengrab from The Karate Kid

Markets got slammed mid-day after Ben Bernanke spoke.  But they erased most of their losses.  However, a couple of big stocks still got punished today.

First the scoreboard:

Dow: 12,789, -6.6, -0.1 percent

S&P 500: 1,387, +0.8, +0.0 percent

NASDAQ: 2,916, +0.6, +0.0 percent

And now the top stories:

• Tech giant Hewlett-Packard shocked investors this morning when it announced a massive $8.8 billion writeoff of Autonomy, a British software company it bought for $10 billion in 2011.  "The chart relates to serious accounting improprieties, disclosure failures and outright misrepresentations at Autonomy that occured prior to HP's acquisition of Autonomy and the trading value of HP stock during the period preceding the recording of the charge," wrote the company in a statement.  To make things worse, the company's outlook for business was disappointing.

• Best Buy also announced quarterly financial results this morning, and it was a huge disappointinment on the bottom line.  The stock got punished today.

• The good news out of the U.S. housing market continues.  Housing starts surged to 894k, which was well above economists' expectation for 840k.  This is the highest level since June 2008.  Market guru Ed Yardeni writes that housing will drive the "second recovery" in 2013.

• Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke at the Economic Club of New York today. "Bernanke did not deliver anything new," wrote TD Securities' Eric Green.  Howevder, markets may have gotten spooked when he warned that the Fed didn't have the tools to offset the economic impact of going off the "fiscal cliff."

• But his speech did end on a pretty optimistic note, assuming we can get passed this fiscal cliff.  "Cooperation and creativity to deliver fiscal clarity – in particular, a plan for resolving the nation's longer-term budgetary issues without harming the recovery – could help make the new year a very good one for the American economy."

• GMO's Jeremy Granthamis less optimistic.  In his new quarterly letter to clients, he wrote that the hundred years of above 3 percent growth we've experienced has ended.  "The bottom line for U.S. real growth, according to our forecast, is 0.9% a year through 2030, decreasing to 0.4% from 2030 to 2050, 
  The bottom line for U.S. real growth, according to our forecast, is 0.9% a year through 2030, decreasing to 0.4% from 2030 to 2050
  
  Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/jeremy-grantham-us-growth-forecast-2012-11#ixzz2CneDBMYX
  " he writes.

10 Things You Need To Know Before The Opening Bell

Mamta Badkar

 Nov. 20, 2012

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

Good morning. Here's what you need to know.

• Asian markets were mostly lower in overnight trading with the Shanghai Composite down 0.4 percent hitting a new 2012 low. Europe is mixed and U.S. futures are flat. This is following a huge gain around the world on Monday.

• Foreign direct investment in China fell 0.2 percent in October from a year ago to $8.31 billion. FDI inflows fell 3.5 percent in the first 10 months. 

• U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is headed to Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Cairo to meet with leaders in the region and to "support de-escalation" of the violence, according to Ben Rhodes, deputy national security adviser. The death toll in the Gaza Strip has reached 116 according to latest reports and Israel has postponed the decision on a land invasion.

• Moody's downgraded France's credit rating from Aaa to Aa1 and maintained its negative outlook.

• The Bank of Japan refrained from monetary easing, maintaining the asset fund at 66 trillion yen ($812 billion). BoJ governor Masaaki Shirakawa pushed back against pressure for unlimited easing saying he wants to "respect the BoJ's independence". 

• Housing starts for October will be out at 8:30 a.m. ET. Consensus is for an annualized pace of 836K. Meanwhile, Ben Bernanke is speaking at the Economic Club of New York at 12:15 p.m. ET today. This will be followed by a 20 minute Q&A.  

• Euro zone finance ministers are expected to give approval for the next tranche of loans to Greece when they meet today. The money is unlikely to be released before December however. 

• Commodity trader Glencore's shareholders voted in favor of its $31 billion takeover of miner Xstrata. Glencore is Xstrata's largest shareholder and Xstrata's shareholders are expected to vote on the deal later today.

• Former UBS trader Kweku Adoboli has been found guilty on one count of fraud in London. The jury is still deliberating on five other counts.

• In earnings news, Best Buy is expected to report earnings of $0.12 per share, and HP is expected to report earnings of $1.14 per share.

20 Nov 2012 Kuala Lumpur Closing Stock Prices

Close Prior Change % Change AMMB 6.45 6.44 +0.01 +0.16 BAT 58.54 57.94 +0.60 +1.04 Genting 9.20 9.15 +0.05 +0.55 GenM 3.43 3.38 +0.05 +1.48 IGB 2.37 2.37 unch unch L&G 0.43 0.43 -0.01 -1.16 MayBank 9.04 9.03 +0.01 +0.11 MAS 1.04 1.03 +0.01 +0.97 PetGas 19.04 19.06 -0.02 -0.10 PblBank 15.40 15.38 +0.02 +0.13 RHBCap 7.59 7.66 -0.07 -0.91 Sime 9.53 9.53 unch unch Telekom 5.45 5.45 unch unch Tenaga 6.92 6.95 -0.03 -0.43 TopGlove 5.72 5.50 +0.22 +4.00 UMW 9.95 9.95 unch unch YTL 1.73 1.73 unch unch

20 Nov 2012 Kuala Lumpur Most Actives

Volume Close Change % Change Kbunai 51,280,600 0.140 -0.025 -15.15 KNM 45,089,300 0.480 -0.015 -3.03 Compugt 25,653,700 0.090 +0.005 +5.88 Axiata 20,266,400 5.950 -0.010 -0.17 DiGi 16,939,400 4.810 +0.020 +0.42 Luster 16,638,200 0.120 -0.005 -4.00 PasukGB 16,324,200 0.325 -0.010 -2.99 Telekom 15,808,400 5.450 unch unch JCY 15,697,400 0.835 +0.045 +5.70 Tiger 15,486,900 0.330 -0.005 -1.49 Maxis 14,833,000 6.440 unch unch YTL 13,547,900 1.730 unch unch BGyear 12,980,800 0.175 -0.225 -56.25 NICORP 11,489,900 0.195 -0.010 -4.88 CIMB 11,259,900 7.670 +0.040 +0.52 KBB 10,096,800 0.420 -0.015 -3.45 AsiaPac 9,743,100 0.110 -0.005 -4.35 AMMB 9,544,600 6.450 +0.010 +0.16 AirAsia 9,493,300 2.860 -0.020 -0.69 MayBank 8,579,300 9.040 +0.010 +0.11 SKPetro 7,535,600 2.870 +0.010 +0.35 BJToto 7,522,500 4.290 +0.030 +0.70 UEMLand 7,370,700 2.190 -0.030 -1.35 Perisai 7,165,800 1.140 +0.030 +2.70 Takaso 7,052,600 0.270 +0.005 +1.89 BornOil 6,944,300 0.500 -0.010 -1.96 Glotec 6,937,600 0.070 unch unch Tenaga 6,811,500 6.920 -0.030 -0.43 Nextnat 6,600,500 0.110 +0.005 +4.76 Faber 6,202,700 1.460 +0.080 +5.80 BJCorp 6,150,800 0.600 unch unch YTLPowr 6,051,900 1.530 unch unch Airport 5,717,500 5.730 -0.020 -0.35 Scope 5,678,000 0.385 -0.060 -13.48 Mtronic 5,572,400 0.130 +0.005 +4.00 HWGB 5,424,300 0.310 -0.010 -3.13 Astro 5,255,400 2.700 unch unch Perdana 5,235,500 0.990 +0.060 +6.45 GOcean 5,203,400 0.360 +0.005 +1.41 IOI 5,155,300 4.910 -0.020 -0.41 Sime 5,142,100 9.530 unch unch IHH 4,989,400 3.150 +0.010 +0.32 Patimas 4,986,900 0.030 unch unch THHeavy 4,595,800 0.500 unch unch PbBank 4,532,900 15.400 +0.020 +0.13 Dialog 4,463,600 2.410 +0.020 +0.84 Daya 4,403,600 0.190 unch unch TAS 4,389,800 0.500 -0.010 -1.96 DR-HICOM 4,305,600 2.470 -0.040 -1.59 Niche 4,015,500 0.120 unch unch